Chapter Twenty-One

Beginning of the End

Selena didn't know where she was going. She ran out of the empty quarter as fast as she could go, heedless of her long skirts. Once she was out of there, though, she did not stop. She ran on, away and out of the castle that had suddenly become a place of such terror for her, her face throbbing with pain from Morzan's blow. Murtagh's screams still echoed in her ears, and she could see him writhing on the table, caught up in the grip of the Mad King's magic. Dying.

'I'm sorry,' she sobbed as she ran. 'I'm sorry, I'm sorry…'

The streets of Urû'baen were crowded and noisy, but clean, and blessedly normal. She slowed to a more dignified walk and struck out into the city, wanting to find some place where she could hide, somewhere where she would be safe, where Morzan and his evil master would not find her.

She was aware of the stares people were directing at her. They knew she was a noble from her dress, and she suddenly wished she had stopped to change into something plainer. She would attract far less attention that way.

As she started to look for a shop where she could buy a different outfit, she suddenly realised that there were tears on her face. She ducked into an alley and dabbed at them, breathing deeply to try and control herself.

Someone stepped out of the shadow of a doorway to confront her. His face was covered.

'Lady Selena?'

Selena started and turned to leave the alley, but too late. Others were appearing as if from nowhere to block her way. She was surrounded.

She started to sob. 'No! Please leave me alone!'

The hooded figure nodded to his companions. 'Grab her.'

Selena tried to break away from them, but she had no chance. They seized her by the shoulders and tied her hands behind her back, and the next moment she had been gagged and blindfolded and was being dragged away, into darkness.

When Galbatorix woke up, he knew he had hurt himself. His chest felt as if iron spikes were being hammered into it, and his throat was sheer agony. He opened his eyes after a mighty struggle, and found himself lying in his hammock. He tried to move, but his limbs felt as if they were tied down.

'…sir…?'

Morzan's voice came to him from over a great distance. He managed to turn his head, and saw him sitting nearby. He was pale and unshaven, and his eyes were red-rimmed.

'Morzan.' Galbatorix's voice came out in a strangled rasp.

Morzan stood up. 'It's all right, sir. I haven't told anyone. How d'you feel?'

Memory came creeping back, and Galbatorix's hands clenched. 'Bring… me… box.'

Morzan glanced at the desk, where the white box was still sitting. 'That one, sir?'

Galbatorix nodded. Morzan fetched the box and brought it to him. He opened it, and Galbatorix raised one hand with a great effort and dragged out the piece of paper. His vision was blurry, but he could make out the words on it. I, King Galbatorix Taranisäii-Traeganni…

Galbatorix clutched the scroll to his chest, breathing heavily. 'Give… crown.'

Morzan pulled it out and handed it to him. Galbatorix laid it down beside him, then took the scroll in his fingers and slowly and laboriously tore it in half. 'Get… out of my… sight.'

Agony showed in Morzan's face. 'Sir, I-,'

Galbatorix gave him a look of utter contempt and turned his head away from him, holding the crown in one hand.

Morzan bowed his head and silently walked away toward the door.

'Morzan?'

Morzan looked back, hope rising in his chest. 'Yes, sir?'

Galbatorix paused to take in several rasping breaths. 'Will… did… is the boy… dead?'

'No, sir. You saved him. The healers are looking after him now. He's going to live.'

Galbatorix closed his eyes. 'Good.'

'Sir, you know I didn't mean to-,'

But Galbatorix did not reply. He had fallen asleep.

Morzan walked down the stairs, moving unsteadily. He felt old suddenly. Old and tired, and miserable.

He returned to his room and locked himself in, and then slumped down on the bed, his head in his hands. There was a spot of Murtagh's blood on his sleeve. He'd been so distracted over the last day or so that he hadn't noticed it, or even thought to change his clothes. He had stayed by Galbatorix until he woke up again, and during that time he hadn't slept or eaten properly. He had drunk most of his meals.

Murtagh would survive, at least. Galbatorix had managed to partially heal his wound, and now the healers were tending to him while it finished closing on its own. Morzan had wanted to heal it with his own magic, but had not. Murtagh was terrified of him now. He would start crying the moment he laid eyes on him, and Morzan couldn't bear to see it and had hidden himself away in the empty quarter, much as Galbatorix had done, as if his guilt were a disease as contagious as the plague.

He hadn't seen Selena since she had run away, two days ago. No doubt she was avoiding him, and he hadn't made any effort to find her. The truth was that he didn't want to see her, and if he never saw her again it would not have upset him much.

Morzan stared at the wall. 'What am I gonna do?' he mumbled, to Idün.

'Apologise,' said Idün.

'To who? What the hell good would that do me?'

'I don't know. But it's the only thing you can do. Go and see Murtagh again.'

'Are you stupid?' Morzan snarled. 'He screams the place down as soon as he sees me. Forget it, Idün. I'm not going near him. He's better off not having me around.'

'But-,'

But Morzan had had enough. He blocked her out of his mind and snatched up the bottle that stood on the beside table. The cork came out easily enough, and he gulped down the contents, recklessly fast. It went to his head almost instantly, but he paused only briefly to catch his breath before downing the rest. The bottle dropped out of his hand and smashed on the floor, and he flopped back onto the bed and slipped into a drunken stupor.

Selena had never been more terrified in her life. She struggled hopelessly against her captors until one of them roughly hit her and muttered; 'Bloody stop that. Just come quietly and we won't hurt you.'

After that she went with them meekly enough, unable to see where she was going, heart pounding. They took her by the shoulders and dragged her away, and she quickly gave up trying to guess the direction. The journey was short and rough, and ended when she was bundled through a door and into what felt like a confined space. There she was forced into a chair and bound tightly to it, arms pinned to her sides.

A hand gripped her shoulder. 'All right,' a voice rasped in her ear. 'I'm going to take the gag off you now. But don't bother trying to scream. No-one will hear you. Just co-operate and you'll be let go.'

The hand let go, and a moment later the gag came off. Selena coughed and gagged, trying to get rid of the taste of the badly-dyed cloth. 'Please don't hurt me,' she said at once. 'I haven't done anything wrong, I swear, I just want-,'

'Be quiet,' said the voice. 'Just listen to me.'

'I'll do whatever you want,' Selena babbled. 'Just don't hurt me, just please don't-,'

A hand slapped her face. 'Shut up! Now listen to me, you miserable slut. You're going to help us, understand?'

Selena nodded silently.

'Good. We need access to the castle, and safe passage to the living quarters. You are going to help us do it, understood?'

'How?' said Selena.

'You will get rid of the guards. Dismiss them, drug them, trick them… whatever it takes. Find a door that few people use, and see it is unlocked and unguarded.'

'Where is it you want to get to?' Selena asked carefully.

A pause. 'To the top of the dragon roost.'

Selena froze. 'The King's bedroom?'

'Yes.'

'I will help you,' said Selena. 'But it would be hard. There are doors sealed with magic, and…'

'We can deal with magic. Do this for us, and you will have helped to free the country from the Empire's cruelty, and avenged the victims of the King.'

'I will do all I can to help you,' said Selena. 'I swear it.'

'You had better,' the voice said coldly. 'If you betray us, you will die. We have the means to track you down. You cannot hide from us.'

Selena hesitated. 'Heit… truír viđ… ykar.' She spoke slowly, in a fractured version of the ancient language, feeling a strange tingling in her body as she did.

The sharp intake of breath from the other person in the room was quite audible to her. 'How do you know that language?' he demanded.

'I learned it from… Lord Morzan,' said Selena. 'He made a man say it to him to promise loyalty. He told me the ancient language makes a promise unbreakable.'

'Then you have sworn your loyalty to me,' said the man. She felt him touch her face, and the blindfold was pulled away.

Selena blinked in the sudden light. She was in a tiny room, lit by a single candle. The floor was dirt, and the ceiling consisted of slightly rotted wooden planks. A cellar, most likely, its air cool and smelling of decay.

There was only one other person there, standing over her. He was shrouded in a dark brown cloak with a hood, and held a dagger in one hand. Selena cringed as he lowered it toward her, but he only cut the ropes binding her to the chair. She pulled them off and rubbed her arms, staring at him. 'Why…?'

'Your vow is unbreakable,' said the man. 'If you betray me, you will suffer instant death. It is no longer necessary to keep you tied up, or to threaten you.' He put the dagger back into his belt, hesitated a moment, and then pulled back his hood.

The face that was revealed was that of a middle-aged man with a slightly hooked nose and greying hair. He wore a neatly-trimmed small beard, and his eyes were bright blue.

Selena froze. 'Oh my gods… it's you!'

He smiled very slightly. 'You remember me, do you?'

'I thought I knew your voice,' said Selena. 'But… what are you doing here, Brom?'

The man's eyes were shadowed in the candle-light. 'Seeking justice,' he said. 'Along with my friends. But I might ask the same question of you, Selena Violetsdaughter.'

She looked at the floor. 'I didn't mean to. I mean… I was in love, I was pregnant, I…' her voice faltered suddenly, and she started to sob. 'I didn't mean it, I didn't want, I didn't… oh gods…'

Brom put a hand on her shoulder. 'It's all right, Selena. I'm sorry if I scared you. But I couldn't risk anyone finding out about me. If the King knows about this…'

Selena got up out of her chair and put her arms around him, clinging to him. 'Help me, Brom,' she half-wailed. 'Please, help me. I've done something awful, I… oh gods, what have I done?'

Brom embraced her. 'Please, Selena, calm down. It's all right, you're safe. I don't blame you for what you did. You were young. You weren't the only one who trusted the wrong people. But you have the chance to make things right again.'

She calmed down after a while, comforted by his touch. 'Are you going to kill the King?'

'Yes. If I can.'

'And Morzan?'

Brom's grip on her tightened a little. 'Oh yes. Him especially.'

'Then I will help you do it,' said Selena.

Brom let go of her. 'Why? You're married to him, aren't you? And you gave birth to his son.'

Selena's sobs started to return at this. 'He killed – they – my son-,'

Brom took hold of her shoulder. 'What is it? What did he do?'

'Morzan killed my son,' Selena whispered at last. 'And the King helped him. They…' She lost control again, and it was some time before she could speak. 'Morzan threw… threw his sword… hit him with it. He was bleeding everywhere, screaming, and then the King… he used magic on him. Tortured him. I heard him screaming, he was screaming, dying there, and I ran and I heard him screaming as I ran…'

Brom breathed in deeply. 'Oh gods…'

'Oh gods, I'm such an idiot!' Selena wailed. 'I th – I thought – it was safe, I thought… took my son to him. I showed him to him! He looked so harmless. He was kind to me. And Murtagh, he even talked to him, he made him a little toy and gave it to him, and, and, Morzan came and he hit me, and they killed…'

'They have killed many people,' Brom said softly. 'They are murderers. Your son was just one of their victims. Do you understand now why they have to die?'

Selena nodded. 'Kill them, Brom. I'm n… I'm not – not – I meant to take that vow. I want to help you.'

'Here,' said Brom. 'Sit down. Rest a little. I'll get you something to drink.' He settled her down on the chair and left, returning a little while later with a flask. 'Here,' he said, offering it to her. 'It's just water with a few herbs in it, but it's all we've got.'

Selena drank it, and felt a little better. 'You're… you're the Varden, aren't you?' she said. 'You and your friends.'

Brom nodded.

'And you killed…'

'Yes. I killed Orwyne and Tuomas personally, and I arranged the poisoning of Ana. I would have killed the others as well, if they hadn't taken their own lives before I got to them. They must all die, every last one of them. Including the King.'

Selena could see the hatred burning in his eyes. 'You're so brave. How could you kill riders? Without magic…'

'A just cause is enough to overcome any weakness. I would have fought them all at once if I had to.'

'But why?' said Selena.

'Because I lost someone I loved to them as well,' said Brom. 'A long time ago.'

'Your wife?'

'No.' Brom stood still a moment, watching her, and then took off the glove he wore on his right hand and silently held it out, palm downward.

And Selena saw it, gleaming in the candlelight, pale and silvery and unmistakeable. She went cold all over. 'Oh… my gods… you're a rider!'

Brom pulled his glove back on. 'Not any more.'

'You lost your dragon?'

'Yes. It happened at Vroengard. I was just a newly-trained rider, doing sentry duty on Vrael's orders. There was an attack one night. It was led by a man I once counted as my best friend. He had betrayed me to Galbatorix, along with the rest of our order, and that night… he killed my dragon.'

'Morzan,' Selena breathed.

Brom's face hardened. 'Yes. I have been after him for a long time and soon I will have my chance to kill him. And you will help me to do this, Selena?'

A fierce love for him rose up in her chest, and she embraced him again. 'Yes. I will, Brom, I will. I will open the door, I will remove the guards. I will let you get to him.'

Brom held onto her, his strength surprising her. 'Thankyou, Selena. Now…' he gently pushed her into the chair again, and sat down on the floor, cross-legged. 'Tell me everything you know. How does the King sleep? What are his habits? How many guards does he have?'

'None,' said Selena.

Brom stared at her. 'None?'

Selena nodded. 'There are no guards outside his bedroom door. He seals it with magic.'

'I can undo that. What about the rest of the castle?'

'There are no guards in the part of the castle where the King sleeps,' said Selena. 'The entire Northern quarter is deserted.'

'Why?'

'It was done on the King's orders, three years ago,' said Selena. 'No-one knows why. But he lives in there on his own and never comes out any more. He wouldn't even let Morzan in at first.'

Brom frowned and scratched his beard; evidently this news had taken him by surprise. 'We had heard rumours about something like this. So the King's madness runs even deeper than I thought. How is he in person? Does he act rationally?'

'Part of the time,' said Selena. 'He…' she stopped to think about it, and then went on. 'I spoke to him a while ago. I thought he was strange, but he looked harmless. Friendly, even. He asked me about Morzan and whether he was happy, and he asked me not to call him Sire because he was tired of it. But before then… I have been into the empty quarter. The King has been living in there for three years and no-one else has been in there. When Morzan and I went in to find him, he… well he ran away from us. He looked terrified when he saw us, as if he thought we were going to kill him. Morzan had to chase him, but he sent me away first so I never saw what happened after that. Later on I asked, and he said the King was fine, just depressed.'

Brom was listening closely. 'What had he been doing in there all that time?'

'I don't know.' Selena remembered the room where she had seen him talking to himself, mere hours ago. 'Making boots,' she added thoughtlessly.

Brom jerked slightly in surprise. 'Making…?'

'I think so. There was a room full of pieces of leather and tools, and there were boots lined up near the wall.'

'Good gods,' Brom muttered. 'Making boots.'

'I thought it was very odd,' said Selena.

'Not that odd,' said Brom. 'As far as I know, he's always made his own boots. He was brought up as a leatherworker, you see. That was the trade he learnt before he became a rider. I remember him telling me how he never wore a pair of boots he hadn't made himself.'

'He told you…?'

'Oh yes. We were friends once.' Brom's eyes darkened. 'I remember when I first knew him, I thought of him as you did. I thought he was my friend. Solitary and a bit serious, but still a good person. I was wrong, and it cost me. Now tell me… what is his bedroom like? Did you see it?'

'I did. It's very small.'

'What about the furniture?'

'There's nothing much,' said Selena. 'Just a desk and a chair, and a cupboard and clothes chest. And a hammock.'

'He still sleeps in a hammock?' said Brom, half to himself.

'He always has, Morzan said,' said Selena.

'I see. What about Morzan?'

'I don't know where his bedroom is,' said Selena. 'Mine is separate and I didn't see his. But I can find out…'

'Good. Now, there's one other thing I want to ask you. The chances are small, but even so.'

'What is it?' said Selena.

'We believe there is a treasure being kept in the castle,' said Brom. 'Which we would like to recover, if we can.'

'I have not seen the treasury,' said Selena.

'It may not be in there. Listen carefully. The thing we are after… well, there are three of them. They would be oval. About this big.' He showed her with his hands. 'We don't know what colour they are, but they would be each one colour, with white veins, and perfectly smooth. Have you seen anything like that?'

Selena opened her mouth to say no, and then stopped.

Brom was quick to spot it. 'You've seen them?'

'I… think so.'

'What did they look like?'

'There was only one,' said Selena. 'But it was about this big, and it was oval shaped. It was blue.'

'Did it have veins?'

'I'm not sure. But it's in the King's bedroom. In the chest. It has a false bottom. Morzan took it out, and when I asked what it was he said it was a treasure.'

Triumph showed in Brom's eyes. 'Perfect. Listen, Selena. This is what I want you to do. If you can – and only if you can – I want you to go into the King's bedroom when he isn't there. If you can do that without being seen, take this treasure out of the chest and smuggle it out of there. When you come to let us in, give it to us. Even if our mission fails, we can get it to safety. Can you do that?'

Fear gripped her, but she nodded anyway. 'I could try.'

'Then try,' said Brom. He smiled at her. 'You're a brave woman, Selena. You have survived astonishingly well in the situation you were in. I am sorry for what I called you. It was cruel of me.'

Selena took in a shuddering breath. 'It's all right.'

'Now,' said Brom. 'I don't want to rush you, but we can't stay here much longer. You don't have to go back to the castle straight away. I'll understand if you need some time to recover. Are you likely to be missed?'

Selena shook her head. 'Morzan lets me go where I want. I can say I went to explore the town. I already told him I wanted to. He doesn't… he doesn't pay much attention to me.'

'Come with me, then,' said Brom. 'I'll take you to my place. But we have to be careful. Here, put this on.' He offered her a cloak.

Selena took it and put it on; it was rough and cheaply made, but large enough to cover her gown.

Brom pulled his hood back on. 'Put your own hood on, and make sure it covers your face. Here, let me help you.' Once it was arranged to his satisfaction, he headed toward the door, gesturing at her to follow. 'Let's go. We have to be careful. No talking, and try not to look at people. We'll go via the back streets. Luckily it's cold outside today, so people shouldn't find it too suspicious that we're keeping ourselves covered like this. Walk beside me and keep close, all right?'

Selena nodded and silently followed him out of the cellar. 'Where are your friends?' she asked in an undertone.

'Gone,' said Brom. 'I told them to leave when I got the water for you. We don't stay together for too long, and we all have separate hiding-places. I'm staying in a tavern not too far from here. And listen; from now on you call me Neal, all right? And you'll be Lily.'

He opened the door and looked out, nodding to her and opening it fully once he was sure the coast was clear. The two of them exited the cellar, and Brom locked it with a key which he stuffed into his pocket. 'No coming back here again. Never use the same place twice. Let's go.'

They had emerged into a narrow alley, and Selena had to walk behind Brom until they had emerged into another one, which was a little larger. She took her place by his side, keeping close to him, and he surprised her by taking hold of her hand. He said nothing, but he gave it a slight squeeze as they set out into the city.

Their journey to Brom's lodgings was not too long, but nerve-wracking. Selena forced herself to move slowly, comforted by the feeling of his hand in hers, but it was all she could do to force herself to breathe slowly. They passed a group of the city's guards on patrol, and Selena shrank away from them, staring at the ground. What if they saw her face? What if they recognised her? What if-?

Brom inclined his head politely toward the guards and walked on past them without flinching, and one or two of them watched incuriously as the two of them went on their way.

'It's all right,' Brom murmured once they were out of earshot. 'They didn't suspect a thing.'

Selena tried not to think about the gallows and the chopping block. 'What if we're caught?'

'We won't be. But if something does happen, run. Don't wait for me.'

They said no more after that, but Selena was glad that Brom was there. She had known him back in Carvahall; he had bought a house there a few years ago and lived there for a time, becoming known as something of an eccentric loner. He had left frequently on what he claimed were trading errands or visits to relatives, and the villagers, disinclined to be nosy, had been content to leave him to his own devices. Selena, intrigued by this stranger with the odd habits and the different accent, had sought him out a few times and talked to him. He had been friendly, but unforthcoming, and she had liked the mystery about him. When he had suddenly disappeared, shortly before Morzan came, she had been sad to see him go.

Thoughts like these helped to distract her from what was going on around her; she did her best to turn away from anyone who looked in her direction, holding onto Brom's hand as if it were an anchor. He'll keep me safe, she told herself, almost desperately. If something happens, he'll protect me. He needs me. He can save me.

By the time they finally reached their destination, though, she was pale and trembling, her face cold with sweat. Her eyes were starting to glaze, and she barely knew where she was any more. Brom tugged her gently toward the door, and she went with him blindly. He glanced around to make sure he was unobserved, and muttered a word over the door, which gently swung open, and then bundled her through it. It led to a small storeroom full of crates, and they weaved between these and passed through into an empty passage.

'Keep quiet,' Brom whispered, and led her along it to the bottom of a flight of stairs. They went up these and arrived in a short corridor with several doors in it. Brom took another key from his pocket and unlocked one of them, and they stepped inside.

There was a room beyond; sparsely furnished, with a bed, a cupboard and a table. There were signs of occupation; a bag of clothes sat on the end of the bed, and there was some food on the table.

Brom locked the door behind him, and pulled off his cloak. 'Phew! All right, thank gods that's over. Here, come on, just sit down…' he gently led her to the bed and sat her down.

Selena's trembling had grown worse. She clutched at his hand, unable to speak, and he gently took her cloak off and put it aside. 'It's all right,' he said. 'It's all right. Selena? Selena, just breathe deeply-,'

Selena tried to, but as soon as she had drawn it in something hard caught in her throat and she cried out and started to sob. Tears ran uncontrollably down her face, and she held onto Brom's hand, so hard she felt the bones move under the skin.

Brom half-crouched on the floor, holding her hands in his. 'It's all right, Selena! Just – calm down, just look at me. Look at me!' She did, and he looked into her eyes, his own eyes kind but stern. 'That's it. Just look at me and breathe deeply. It's all right. You're safe. You're all right. I won't let anything hurt you. Yes, that's it. Breathe. In and out. Slower. Yes. That's it. That's right. You're all right…'

The sound of his voice soothed her, and her breathing steadied. Once or twice she sobbed again, but gradually she started to calm down and the shaking stopped.

Brom stood up, keeping his motions slow and gentle, and sat down next to her, putting his arm around her shoulders. She snuggled against his side, feeling his heart beating against hers. 'Thankyou,' she whispered.

Brom touched her face. 'It's all right,' he said again, as if he were talking to a child. 'I've got you. You're safe.'

They stayed like this for some time, until Selena had recovered.

'I'll get you something to eat, all right?' said Brom, carefully letting go of her.

She lay down on her side as he went to the table and cut some bread and sausage for her. He brought it to her, with a cup of wine, and she ate ravenously, and drank. The wine was cheap, but she didn't care.

'There,' said Brom. 'All better now?'

Selena nodded. 'I'm sorry,' she mumbled. 'I don't know what happened.'

'It's all right. The shock was too much for you, that's all. You'll be fine. Do you want some more?'

'Yes, thankyou.'

She didn't finish all of the second helping, but Brom gently relieved her of it and ate it in a few bites. 'Ah, that's better. Not a patch on fresh food, but not bad either. How do you feel now?'

'Tired,' said Selena.

'That's to be expected. Well, you just rest here for a while. We're in no danger. Take all the time you need.'

Selena nodded. 'Brom?'

'Yes? What is it?'

'Will you…' she hesitated, almost shyly. 'Will you hold me again?'

He put the plate on the floor and sat next to her on the bed. 'Like this?' he asked, putting his arm around her shoulders.

She pressed herself against him. 'Thankyou. I mean I… I just needed someone to touch me.'

'It's a good thing,' Brom agreed. 'When we feel alone, we need to be touched. Everyone does. Even urgals, probably.' He grinned. 'But probably not Ra'zac.'

Selena giggled weakly. 'I don't think anything would want to touch a Ra'zac. Even the ground probably doesn't like it.'

'Of course not!' said Brom. 'Haven't you heard?'

'Heard what?' said Selena, glancing up at him.

'There used to be only one peak next to Dras-Leona,' said Brom. 'They moved together like that after a Ra'zac tried to land on them, for protection.' He laughed. 'If you look closely at them, you can see them trembling.'

Selena giggled. 'You're silly.'

'Do you really think so?' Brom asked seriously.

She glanced at him, not sure if he was joking, but then she saw the gleam in his eye. 'You're very silly,' she said.

He grinned again. 'D'you know, when I was a boy, they used to call me Brom the Scarecrow. Know why?'

'Because you're thin?' said Selena.

'Because I was such a grinning fool that they reckoned only a bird would be scared of me. Well, and I was also skinny,' he added.

'That's nonsense,' Selena declared. 'I was scared of you.'

'You were?'

'Yes.

'Well, you must be a crow, then,' said Brom.

They shared a laugh, and sat together in companionable silence for a while.

'Brom?' Selena said after a while.

'Yes, Selena?'

'I'm sorry. I really am. For what I did.'

'You don't have to be,' said Brom. 'You didn't know what you were doing.'

'Yes I did,' said Selena. 'I knew.'

'What do you mean?'

'I'm a…' her voice changed suddenly. 'I'm not a good woman, Brom. I'm bad. I'm weak and I'm stupid, and I'm…'

'No you're not. Stop that.'

'Yes I am,' said Selena. 'I know it. I know I look good, but that's all I am. After my mother died, I didn't know what to do any more. Where to go. My father expected me to marry, but I didn't want to. I wanted something else, but I didn't know what it was. I tried everything I could think of, but it was all so… empty. They say that's why I went wrong.'

'You didn't, Selena,' said Brom. 'There's nothing wrong with you. You're a good person.'

'Do you know what they call me at court?' Selena asked softly. 'I do.'

Silence.

'They call me Morzan's Mermaid,' said Selena. 'I've heard them do it. I pretend I don't know about it, but I do, and I know what people think of me. They're right.'

A mermaid was a slang word for a prostitute. Brom held her closer. 'People say cruel things. You don't have to believe it.'

Selena closed her eyes. 'But I am. I sleep with men because it's the only thing I know how to do. Even in Carvahall people knew about it. I knew it was wrong, but… I had to do it. I couldn't help myself.'

'It's all right, Selena. Hush. Don't talk about yourself like that. Please.'

She stilled. 'Why?'

'Because it's not right. And you are a good person, Selena, and a brave one. You agreed to help me even though you were frightened for your life, and you have sworn to fight against the forces of evil, even though you know what the dangers are. There are not many people with the courage to do that.'

'I don't want to kill anyone,' said Selena.

'You don't have to. Killing stains a man's soul forever, and no-one should do it unless it was completely necessary. What you'll do… if you can recover this treasure from the King, your name will be honoured forever.'

'Why?' said Selena. 'What is it?'

'It's a dragon's egg,' said Brom. 'One of only three left in the world.'

Selena gasped. 'That was an egg?'

'Yes. If it comes into contact with the right person, it will hatch and they will become a rider. That is the only way to save the dragon riders from extinction.'

'The King has been trying for decades,' said Selena. That was common knowledge, at least. Every year Galbatorix had invited young people to come to the castle to handle the dragon's eggs. None had ever succeeded, and once his retreat had begun it had stopped happening.

'Yes, and all we can do is hope he will never succeed. If there is a new order of riders, they must not be under his thrall. It would mean the corruption of our order forever, and the end of all hope for Alagaësia's future. If you can free this egg from the King's clutches, you will be one of the greatest heroes the human race has ever produced.'

'I don't know if I can do it,' said Selena. 'But I'll try. I promise.'

Brom was silent for a time. 'I don't know how I can thank you, Selena. Without your help, we wouldn't have had a chance. With you, we could do what we have worked for so long to do… what I have worked for most of my life to do. You don't know how much it means to me.'

Selena straightened up, pulling away from him slightly. 'I could fail,' she said. 'I could get caught. I could get all of us caught. How can I do this, Brom? I don't know anything about fighting, or tricking people. I'm not brave like you.'

He let go of her. 'But you'll try, Selena. You'll try for us. And I think you'll succeed. You'll find the courage you need, I know you will.'

'How do you know?' Selena asked quietly. She watched him closely, almost desperate to hear his reply.

He touched her cheek and smiled. 'Because I have faith in you, Selena. I have been looking for an answer for so long, and I know you are that answer. I just wish that there was some way I could repay you.'

Selena felt a strange pain in her heart. She leaned toward him and kissed him lightly. 'I want…'

He started a little, but didn't move. 'Yes, Selena?'

Once again, as it had been so many times before, with so many other men, Selena moved in closer to him, letting her warmth and the scent of her skin envelop him. 'Give me another son, Brom,' she whispered. 'I want it.'

He pulled away from her. 'Selena-,'

Selena would not let him go. She put a hand on his shoulder and up onto his neck, caressing his ear and losing her fingers in amongst his greying hair. She kissed him again, and then again, more slowly, and though he resisted at first he slowly began to relax into her. 'Selena…'

She barely heard him. She kissed his neck and his forehead, and then her lips found his and she pushed hard against them, opening her mouth to his. That was when he began to kiss her back, forgetting his doubts in the face of her sudden passion.

Selena could feel his strength, like a kind of magic moving through him and into her, and she whispered her name as she began to wrap her body around his. 'Give me a son, Brom,' she said. 'I want you to… Brom…'